Estrogen

Estrogen is a collective term for a variety of steroidal compounds employed by the estrous cycle, and functioning together as the female sex hormone. They are used medicinally as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for post-menopausal women, as oral contraceptives (birth control) or in hormone therapy by transsexual women

Estrogen compounds are present at some level in men and women, but significantly higher in women and particularly women of reproductive age. They play a key role in the development of sexual characteristics, such as the growth of breasts, and in various other aspects of the menstrual cycle.

For men, estrogen plays a role in the development of sperm, as well as some other reproductive functions. Minimal estrogen levels in men may also be important in order to maintain a healthy libido.

Other functions of estrogen and estrogen supplements include, but are not limited to, reducing muscle mass, accelerating the metabolism, burning fat, accelerating growth in terms of height, promoting female sex characteristics, decreased LDL cholesterol, increased HDL cholesterol, and increase in growth hormone.

Various studies have indicated that estrogen may improve lung function, and tests involving mice showed that in fact certain levels of estrogen were key to maintaining lung function.

Estrogens can be found in a variety of substances both natural and synthetic. Natural estrogen from plant extracts is known as phytoestrogen, while synthetic estrogen is called xenoestrogen.

Oral contraceptives tend to include synthetic estrogen, or xenoestrogen, as well as synthetic progestin, since the circulation of estrogen in the bloodstream can act to reduce levels of female sex hormone and LH.

HRT is hormone replacement therapy. This is a treatment offered to menopausal and post-menopausal women in order to head off the potential medical problems associated with decreased levels of estrogen and progesterone, the female sex hormones.

Hormone replacement therapy involves a combination of drugs which are designed in order to raise hormone levels artificially. Sometimes, testosterone is also used in hormone replacement therapy, in addition to estrogen and progesterone.

Hormone replacement therapy is also commonly undertaken by transsexual and transgender individuals, in order to help them achieve the characteristics of their chosen sex. It can also be used to treat intersex subjects in order to correct or reinforce their gender development.

A selection of different kinds of hormone replacement therapy are available, generally involving low doses of estrogen, along with either progesterone or synthetic progestin, and sometimes testosterone. For women who have previously undergone hysterectomy treatment, hormone replacement therapy may be in the form of estrogen without a progesterone balance, a process called un-opposed estrogen therapy.

Hormone replacement products may come in the form of pills, patches, gels, creams, injection, or inter-urinary device. The different hormones involved in the treatment often have to be taken cyclically and at precise times, often involving daily intake of estrogen and monthly or fortnightly progesterone supplementation. This is a process known as sequentially combined HRT (scHRT). Alternatively, the two (or three) hormones can be combined into a simpler regular daily dose, in a method called continuous combines HRT (ccHRT). Testosterone is sometimes added to the mix in order to remedy decreased libido and sexual desire, and can also increase energy levels, while helping to ward off osteoporosis.

Hormone replacement therapy is regarded as a short-term solution for the relief of menopausal symptoms, and it is recommended for up to five years, generally speaking, and usually not more then one or two. It can help to greatly reduce incidences of weight gain or body shape changes, hot flushes and irregular menstruation.

HRT can also be used longer-term to stave off osteoporosis, which is a very common problem for elderly women, or to help young women with premature ovary failure to maintain a normal lifestyle until such time as a natural menopause might be due.

Other symptoms of the menopause that may be relieved or negated by controlled hormone replacement therapy include fatigue, dizziness and irritability, urinary stress incontinence, chills, sweating, and vaginal dryness. HRT is known to dramatically decrease the risk of bone fractures in the period following menopause, and incidence of said fractures, particularly of the hips, spine and wrist, decrease by up to three-quarters in patients who undergo hormone treatment.

The daily dosage of estrogen as part of HRT therapy is generally between 0.3 and 1.25 milligrams per day.

Hormone replacement therapy involving estrogen has also been found to have beneficial effects on serum cholesterol levels, and can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease quite dramatically, though there are some potential side-effects to estrogen use.

Some women undertaking estrogen replacement therapy may be more prone to blood clots, which can be fatal, thought it is thought that this risk can be reduced or eliminated depending on the method of estrogen deliver. Topical administering of estrogen, meaning estrogen delivered directly to the target area of the body rather than taken orally, is thought to greatly reduce the risk of blood clots by bypassing the normal metabolic processes.

This is therefor the preferred method of delivery for many women, particularly those with a history of thrombo-embolic problems.

Some breast cancers are treated successfully with hormone therapy which involves using drugs to suppress the body’s natural production of estrogen. Some foods may have a similar, natural effect.

Estrogen used to be used in some incidences to prevent girls from growing ‘too tall’, but this practice has been largely stopped.

Estrogen may also be useful in some cases for treating prostate cancer in men.
Bulimia nervosa may be caused by a hormonal imbalance in the brain involving estrogen. Studies are underway to explore this theory, and experimental treatment methods involving estrogen are in development.


Estrogen